From being an Abandoned who had rarely left the Hollowed Grounds, to embracing the call of adventure, to dying and being reborn first as an Ascended and then as an Ancient, Maea has gone through quite the amount of changes in her life. One thing remains common, though, in her attempts to find out just where she belongs; she’s always had a craving for knowledge which has brought her to so many places and to meet so many people here in Caido. We can’t wait to see what else is in store for her!
Congratulations, Maea!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
Skinning and hosting by the epically talented Kaons, and functionality fanciness by the coding magic of Neowulf. If you ever see either of them around, make sure to show them some love!
At the correction and alteration, Deimos glanced towards the specific ledge, confirming the change with a simple nod. Another glance was provided to Zuriel and Belial on their assignments, before the Sword went to do his part.
It was the hellhound that came next – Stygian fur and overwhelming stature, rapacious endeavors lined in a form meant for demolition, destruction, and disaster. He’d be a visible, stark outline against the ivory plains, but that had been the point. To set them all running, save for the ones who simply couldn’t.
There was no use in slinking or trying to hide – not with his demeanor and figure. Stealth wasn’t an option for obsidian against alabaster, and the reindeer, one by one, raised their heads. There were blowing noises and warning signals, but for the little blind youth, and the elder, there was either resignation or the unknown. He took several more steps, an obvious predator on the horizon, and they began to move.
And so did he; a unison of vitriol, vehemence, and violence, a force of ferocity. The fiend moved with an equal grace, sharpening, honing his speed, as he rampaged and rallied – reindeer bounded and leapt, scattering, uniting, wandering in pockets and pieces. Chaos, in a way, where he once thrived and lived and breathed. The echoes barreled in his ribcage and absorbed through his muscles, plunging along until he could cut off the ancient creature. From there, it would only be a matter of moments – driving, driving, driving him towards Sah’s ledge.
Sah's eyes widened both with awe and a tiny hint of jealousy at Deimos' form. The hellhound was quite something to behold, and it certainly did the trick. Crouched behind his ledge, sword in hand, Sah braced himself. As the herd came his way, he let out a breath, focusing his magic. The sword, which Deimos crafted, came to life. The Abandoned's lighting magic forming a current around the blade. The metal made controlling his volatile magic far easier.
As the herd charged towards him, the ledge cut through their path, reindeer parting on either side. Sah waited patiently for his target to reach him. The elderly stag moved stiffly, partially cut off from the rest. Once he was within range, Sah surged forward. The elder tried to swerve out of the way, but his old injury restricted him. Taking the opportunity, Sah struck though the reindeer's chest. the lightning to the heart providing a quick kill before the sword even fully pierced the organ. The creature fell, a clean kill. Sah cleaned his blade in the snow, nodding at Deimos as he approached the spoils of their hunt.
He continued, persistent and ruthless, in the haze of endless white; a sable, inky shadow pressing across the boundaries. Alive and unbroken, unfurled, unleashed, permitted to be an unrelenting, visceral force – not tucked away, not bound by his mistakes. Simply allowed to live and breathe as the predator within, and as Sah ended the elder quickly, efficiently, without much pain to be had, the Sword found he wasn’t ready to go back to his chains.
The blind youth remained scattered and confused at the tail end of those trailing. Already bewildered, rattled, and perplexed, there was no way it would survive without its herd, and the performance enacted was already dismal at best. Should they allow it to continue suffering? His eyes went briefly to the Abandoned, releasing a wild, feral bark, a warning that another would likely soon be arriving his way.
Then he chased again, abandon in his lungs and in his veins, scouring over the surface of the rime with little care – effortless, bending into the elements with brazen, emboldened glory. The young stag bleated for the assistance of its kin, but it was no use when they’d already moved on, and he snapped at its feet, driving another onslaught, another cataclysm, towards Sah.
Sah's head snapped up at the bark, eyes locking on Deimos'. He quickly figured out the plan as the hellhound rounded on the reindeer once more. Sah's eyes were already tracking the blind youth, knowing that this was the target even before Deimos started leading the deer over. Settling into a stance to wait, eyes locked on the deer, Sah settled his breathing. For the blind deer, who was upwind of him, the Abandoned was practically invisible.
And so when the terrified creature was in range, Sah struck once more. Blade to the chest, lightning to the heart. A clean kill, just like the last. Sah's eyes were soft on the fallen reindeer, pity in his heart. He took one knee and ran a hand over the side of both the elder and the blind youngling. "Thank you." He murmured respectfully, his voice soft. Standing up he glanced at Deimos, giving a nod.
Ways of life intermingled and toiled, and Sah committed to his duties efficiently, quickly, without preamble or preludes. The herd culled for the moment, they moved on, amidst rumbles and billows; disappearing eventually into the receding proportions. The hellhound moved onward, glancing at his companions, ensuring they were fine, before shifting back.
“Well done,” he echoed to Sah, eyes trained on the weapon for half a moment with some amount of amusement, before tracing back over to the sled, grabbing hold of the carving and hunting knives they’d need to utilize. From there, he dragged over the elder first, strength and dominion holding fast and true, and when he’d had adequate space and room, Belial watching over with perusing eyes and Zuriel merely standing tall, proud, and true over the cub, his gaze landed back on Sah. “Do you know how to gut them?” Presuming so, given the man’s history – but he didn’t want to push him into something he might not have been comfortable with. Crouching down, he made the first incision.
Sah gave a small grin, sheathing his sword upon ensuring it was clean. Once the two kills were in place, the sled as well, Lilly gave a happy yip. She was glad to be back with her bonded, and excited about the new dinner they'd caught. Yet excited as she was, the pup remained with Zuriel as was ordered. Sah could feel her impatience clearly however and it had him chuckling slightly. "Soon Lilly. Just hang on a bit longer." Lilly gave a quiet bark in reply.
Sah eyed the tools as Deimos brought them over. "Yes. I've been getting pretty good at taking care of it with human tools." He stated before he set to work efficiently gutting the other reindeer. It was still bizarre in some ways to do this, but the former canine had picked it up quickly.
Deimos muffled a laugh at the cub’s antics, and the pressing feeling of being watched – over his shoulder, while Belial hovered, carnivorous and hungry after his own assistance in the hunt. The Sword committed to his own endurance and patience in return, and before long, as the beast drained, lacerations made, he tossed the peryton several of the organs they wouldn’t be utilizing. Jumping upon them with some macabre glee, Belial would be kept occupied while they worked.
He nodded towards Sah, and only shifted his gaze once or twice to see how the Abandoned was coming along. It was comforting and settling, to know he’d acquired the knowledge, learning, constantly gaining new grounds and skills. He rolled back his sleeves, forearms exposed to the cold air without a care, while mustering along his work, moving occasionally to get at specific angles until the necessary cuts had been made – only leaving the blood to pool and drain. They’d need to hang them up adequately when they returned to the Citadel. “What are you going to use your antlers for?” By way of curiosity and nosiness, an ease in conversation. The elderly stag had quite an impressive set – more than the nubs and stubs of the blinded one.
The Outlander worked efficiently, most of it muscle memory now. As Sah worked, he perked up at Deimos' question. "I'm not sure yet. I've been thinking about carving antlers to trade. You know, as decorations? People seem really fond of that kind of stuff for some reason. And I've found carving to be pretty relaxing." Sah gave a small hum and winked at Lilly. "But I might need to find a small pair for this one to chew on." Lilly gave an ecstatic little yip and twirled in a circle, making her bonded chuckle. "Yes, definetly going to need to find some for her as well."
The work was nearly complete by now when Sah spoke again. "What about you? Any ideas for using antlers?" Before Caido, Sah just usually chewed on them.
More nods granted and given as Sah explained – clear thought anointed to using the proportions of the deer. He listened and lifted, placing the smaller deer upon the sled, ensuring travel would be far easier – blood was no matter, considering he could easily wash the device when they were done. “You could always put some in your house,” and he laughed a little there, light, not wild or exuberant, not echoing or flowing. Otherwise, trading in the markets was always a good place to start – considering what he might be able to receive in return. Hunting and the resources surrounding the necessities were a lucrative business, welcome commodities in a world like Halo. The world was strong and enduring, and they all found ways to survive; but leaned on one another just the same.
His eyes glanced from the stag, to Belial, and back to Lilly, an offering passing through his teeth before he could think to question it. “She can have this one’s when I am done.” The nubs should’ve been enough to satisfy the youth.
At the next question though, he laughed again, predictable, with an easygoing grin making its way to the surface. “Weapons.” They could be carved into knives, into daggers, whittled away at smooth edges until they were serrated and sharp. “They can also make good needles.”
Sah gave a small laugh. "I guess I could." He really wasn't one for decorating, but maybe he'd try just once. Before Sah could even thank Deimos for his offer, ask if the soldier was sure, Lilly reacted. Barely keeping herself contained to her assigned spot, the little pup spun in another circle. Her tail wagged fiercely, happy yips sent towards Deimos. Sah laughed at the sheer excitement going though their bond. "Lilly says thank you." He stated. "If you couldn't tell." The addition was given with dry humor, a playful smirk in place.
Sah tried not to show his surprise to see Deimos laughing so much. It was a nice change. And so Sah simply grinned in return. "Fair I probably could have thought of that given their initial use." He shook his head with amusement. But the needle idea caught his attention. "You can make needles? Do you break off shards and sharpen them?" He was trying to picture how to use an antler to make something as small as a needle.
A small smile tucked away in the corners of his mouth for the pup, arching a brow at the embedded, enthusiastic aplomb. A simple nod was given for all the gestures and reels, before he moved on to checking after the deer, grabbing hold of a long rope, extending it out over the prey, and tying it down. Fully intent on ensuring it wasn’t going to go anywhere on their long trek back to the Citadel.
Unaware his laughter resonated anything but its token clarity, the Sword maneuvered forward, standing by legs and torso of the elder, for whenever Sah was ready to load it. As for the needles, his head gave another quick bob. “Yes. They can vary in size as well.” Larger points for larger projects – like when they’d once made rugs out of fur in the Artisan’s Guild, what felt like lifetimes ago. Smaller points for more delicate work, like mending clothing, stitching and mending flesh. “Depends on what you want them for.”
Sah got into position and helped the Sword move the reindeers onto the sled. He let out a small hum as Deimos spoke. "I had no idea." Upon securing the spoils, Sah glanced at Lilly and she was instantly beside him, no gesture needed. "Good pup." He reached down and ruffled her ears with a proud smile Sah picked Lilly up with one arm, and held her to his chest. The pup contently snuggled in, her nose in the crook of his neck.
"Want to go for more or are you ready to head back?" He asked Deimos curiously. The sled was pretty full but they could certainly fit more if the man wasn't ready to head back just yet. Sah wouldn't mind being out on the tundra longer. He never minded that.
The warrior tied off the second reindeer, ensuring it wouldn’t be leaving the sled either. Once he was content with his knots, he gave a firm pat to Zuriel, relieved of her babysitter duties, and bearing no need to heal, still receiving a treat from his pockets as a reward for all the potential ruin they might’ve faced. Belial seemed to have had his fill, and rampaged along the sides of the instrument, intending to march and bombard with its movements and motions as Deimos pulled it along. "I can show you some of the needles when we return," he noted and rumbled; so that the once-wolf would have another useful mode of knowledge under his belt.
At the question, the beast pondered, noting the amount of room still left in the device. He often volleyed in between rationale and avaricious, depending on the context and subject matter. The reindeer herd had long since moved on in their cutting and slicing, but that didn’t mean other things hadn’t. “I think we are fine with these, but perhaps we will see something on the way back.” The option left open, and with a tilt of his head, he aimed to drag the led down the small knoll, nodding towards Sah to grab the back end so it didn’t immediately fall and bound.
Curiosity maintained, especially with recent discussions, and evading his own problems, his eyes rounded back to the other Abandoned. “Have you spoken to any of the heralds?”
Sah walked along Deimos, Lilly still curled up in his arms. The pup was a bit tired from all of the walking and was content to just be snuggled for now. Sah perked up at the idea of learning yet another skill. "I'd like that. Thank you." Maybe Sah could even learn how to make those super soft blankets once he learned how to make his own needles? It'd be worth looking into.
When prompted, Sah moved to help with the sled, Lilly returning to the snow so that he could work with both hands. The pup trotted along happily beside him. As for further hunting, Deimos had a point. "Sounds like a solid plan." The sudden question about the heralds, made Sah sigh. "I tried. I went to visit Nature Frey. She didn't show but I had an interesting conversation with a spirit that possessed a candle."
